Music Ministry

Our Purpose in the Music Ministry is to:

1. Draw the focus of our worship to God.

2. Encourage and uplift other Christians.

3. Serve as a witness through our music to all who listen.

4. Hold fast to the Biblical principles of God's Word.

5. Be a small group offering fellowship and encouragement to other members.

Music at McGaheysville United Methodist Church

Sanctuary Choir: The Sanctuary Choir meets on Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.M. Rehearsal runs until 8:45 P.M. We provide music for the 11:00 worship service on Sunday mornings. We sing a wide variety of musical styles and we invite anyone who loves to sing to join us!

Fade: The 8:33 Praise Band. The name came from the great Matt Redman song, "Heart of Worship", where he sings, "When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come." As a worship band, we want to help fill up the sanctuary, and the hearts of all present, with His love and His Holy Spirit, and then fade away, so each of us can simply come to Him. It is all too easy for each of us to make things about ME. The name "FADE" reminds us to make it all about Him. Call the church office (540.289.5445) for information about our contemporary music program.

Refuge: The youth band. The name comes from many places in the book of Psalms, like 2:12, which reads, "Blessed are all who take refuge in Him". It is our prayer that all who hear us, and all those in the group, may take refuge in Him more and more each day. Kids have plenty of challenges, too. If they can learn at a young age how important it is to call on Him, our Rock, our Refuge, they may be able to experience His grace, peace and love more fully for all of their lives. Call the church office (540.289.5445) for information about our contemporary music program.

More about Refuge and Fade......

Music Staff

  Music Director

Jerrilyn MacDanel is currently the music specialist at Stone Spring Elementary School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has taught elementary music for 30 years. In addition to her teaching, she directs an ecumenical Community Choir, The Celebration Singers and serves as Director of the Vocal Arts Camp at James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virgina. She received her B.S. in Music, Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia, Music Education Credentials from James Madison University, a Masters Degree in Music Education from James Madison University, Kodaly Certification from the University of North Texas, and Orff Level II from James Madison University. Jerrilyn is actively involved in OAKE, presently serving on the Board of Directors as Member at Large. She is a charter member of the Virginia Organization of Kodaly Educators and served as president from 1994-1997. She is a member of MENC and AOSA. Jerrilyn has presented workshops in Virginia, Maryland, Nebraska and New Jersey and has frequently been a clinician for the Virginia Music Educators Association fall in-service conference.

Accompanist

Becky Holmes is our church pianist and accompanist and is Jerrilyn's partner is choral crime at Wednesday night choir rehearsals. Becky began playing piano for her home church, Longmeadow Church of the Brethren, and for Youth Aglow meetings, and her school touring choir in Hagerstown, Maryland when she was in her teens. She studied piano in Hagerstown for two years with Sandy Mi Rhee, a concert pianist. As an undergraduate at Eastern Mennonite University, she studied piano with Stephen Sachs and dabbled with contemporary Christian music. Becky is Director of Audit and Management Services at James Madison University (JMU), where she also taught courses in Technical Communication. Becky received an A.A.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University and is a CPA. She earned an M.A. in Technical and Scientific Communication from JMU in 2004. She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband Michael and two daughters, Katy and Emilty.

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Accompanist

  Becky Holmes is our church pianist and accompanist and is Jerrilyn's partner in choral crime at Wednesday night choir rehearsals. Becky began playing piano for her home church, Longmeadow Church of the Brethren, and for Youth Aglow meetings, and her school touring choir in Hagerstown, Maryland when she was in her teens. She studied piano in Hagerstown for two years with Sung Mi Rhee, a concert pianist. As an undergraduate at Eastern Mennonite College, she studied piano with Stephen Sachs and dabbled with contemporary Christian music. Becky is the Director of Audit and Management Services at JMU, where she also taught courses in Technical Communication. Becky received an A.A.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University and is a CPA. She earned an M.A. in Technical and Scientific Communications from JMU in 2004. She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband Michael and two daughters, Katy and Emily.